It’s no secret that the Riviera Maya is the preferred destination for many looking to escape the winter doldrums, but instead of Cancun, Tulum, and other popular destinations receiving the most praise, Isla Mujeres, which is smaller and cosier, has been stealing the show lately. Actually, it’s now officially one of America’s favourite sunny spots based only on occupancy.
A little island called Isla Mujeres is well known for its relaxed atmosphere. Similar to Puerto Morelos, another emerging little town we previously covered here, it markets itself as a “more authentic” alternative to the “overtouristed” continental stretch. Additionally, it has easy access and boasts seas that are both crystal clear and warm all year long.
All the factors that American visitors are likely to emphasise when planning a Caribbean vacation:
Americans Love Isla Mujeres And The Proof Is In The Numbers
According to local media, Isla Mujeres has developed into one of the most popular destinations in the state of Quintana Roo, which includes much of the Mexican Caribbean, largely as a result of a successful promotional campaign led by the local government – and naturally, its own hospitality outlook. During the National Day of Magical Cities, the information was disseminated.
The memorial day honours the accomplishments of 132 Mexican cities that have distinguished themselves as important historical and cultural places. This year, it was observed that Isla Mujeres, one of these mystical “pueblos,” towered well above rivals in the same class as a result of its post-pandemic hotel occupancy.
According to data released earlier this year by Sedetur, Mexico’s equivalent of a tourism board, Isla Mujeres was already among the best performing in the Mexican Caribbean during the first annual quarter, long before the last remaining Covid mandates in Mexico fell. At times, it even outperformed the mighty Cancun.
Isla Mujeres had an occupancy rate of 71.2% in the first quarter of this year, which was the final high season for Mexican tourist, surpassing even the Cancun-Puerto Morelos pair at 70.73%. Even though it fell short of Cozumel (71.77%), it came very close to taking the title of Riviera Maya municipality with the fastest recovery rate in early 2022.
Trend Continued Well Into The Summer Months
This trend continued throughout the summer, when the insular gem experienced a “boom” in bookings, with a mean 180,000–200,000 tourists per month. José Castillo Magaa claims that the island has achieved “record occupations” that even surpass pre-pandemic levels. On several occasions, occupancy reached a high of 85%.
With up to 25 million tourists expected to utilise Cancun as their entrance point into Mexico by the end of the year, the city is still a force to be reckoned with in terms of tourism. Many people will fly to Cancun and spend their vacation there, while others may have tickets for additional destinations along or offshore the coast, including Isla Mujeres.
Early in June, there were already up to 12,000 hotel rooms available, and an estimated 3,000 more may be added “through the end of 2022,” demonstrating that demand is still at an all-time high.
Isla Mujeres is on track to overtake the region as the top destination, according to The Cancun Sun, our partner website and one of the best English-language resources for information about the Riviera Maya. It is both a highly sought-after day trip due to the exclusivity it offers due to being an island and a creative remaining destination, with several ferries sailing from the continent each day.
What Makes Isla Mujeres So Popular?
The island of Isla Mujeres, which is only 13 km from the coast of Cancun, is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, including Playa Norte, which was recently dubbed “the best beach” in all of Mexico. It triumphs over a variety of regional rivals, including Playa Paradiso in Tulum and Playa Delfines in Cancun.
Additionally, Condé Nast Traveler, a renowned travel publication, has ranked it as the second-best island destination in North America. In addition, it contributes to the unexpectedly high figures for the Mexican Caribbean in September, a month when travel is often on the decline after the end of the school holidays.
As the impending recession and rising cost of living make it harder for the average American to travel abroad and splurge on a Mexican all-inclusive, we cannot predict whether or not this growing reputation will continue into the upcoming high season, particularly the months of December through April. However, one thing is certain:
Since Isla Mujeres is more fashionable than ever, they want to welcome you.
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